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For better enjoyment, I recommend reading this after reading Clean Slade

Life Pixelated

Bonus Epilogue from Clean Slade

A few days after Slade officially moved in



“I’m still not sure why you feel guilty,” I told Slade as he drove.

The sky was a nice clear blue and the temperature was high enough to warrant T-shirts, so the windows were down and the breeze wafted through the car with a soothing effect.

“It’s not like you’ve lived there in forever.”

Slade shrugged. “I know. But I always told him I’d be back.”

“I know, but you’ll be working there, giving him a hand this season. You don’t need to feel guilty. You’re still there for him.”

It was heartwarming to see him beating himself up over officially moving out of Luna’s Lodge. But that was exactly the kind of person Slade was. A giant softie of a man with a heart of gold.

Wasn’t that what had led him into my life? What had made him stick around even when I hadn’t deserved everything he was doing for me?

“Mr. Rogers is going to be so excited!” Mac cheered from the backseat.

I nodded at her through the rearview mirror as Slade pulled in front of the bed and breakfast.

“I hope so.” Slade grimaced and turned the ignition off.

“Hey.” I put my hand on his leg and shook it gently. “Your idea was great. And I think he’ll love it.”

He looked back at me and pursed his lips. He was so cute when he was shy and uncertain. Some days I still found it hard to believe he was all mine and I was all his.

“Now come on. Let’s get this show on the road,” I said, and Slade took a deep breath before we got out of the car and found Mr. Rogers on the porch, sipping his ice tea.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my three favorite people in town,” he exclaimed when we were close enough. Mac ran over to him to give him a hug.

“I’m so telling Joey you said that,” Slade said.

Mr. Rogers shook his head with wide eyes.

“Please, no. I take it back.”

We laughed, and he offered us some of his tea.

“Actually, we were hoping you’d catch a ride with us. We…we’ve got a little surprise for you.”

Mr. Rogers put down his glass and cocked his head.

“A surprise? For me?” We all nodded. “Are you sure?”

“Of course we’re sure, Mr. Rogers.” Mac giggled.

“What do you say?” Slade asked.

Mr. Rogers looked from Slade to Mac to me and nodded. He got up and followed us into the car. Soon enough, we were back on the road.

As we drove past sidewalks filled with people and traveled down busy roads, I felt light-headed.

I’d been living on edge for so long, even before I realized my father had found us, that I hadn’t allowed myself to really live my life.

Sure, I’d built a network of friends that had become my family, ran a successful business, and raised an amazing daughter, but I’d always held back.

It was why I’d never dated. Why I’d never veered too far off the island. Why I’d never been on vacation or used social media.

It had been an isolated life.

But now, the slate was wiped clean, and we could drive with the windows down and not have to worry that someone was out there waiting to take a shot at me or my family.

I could book a trip to New York and not worry about being seen by anyone. Hell, I could even become a social media influencer if I wanted—not that I wanted to, but the option was there—and not have to worry my father and his men would discover me.

They already had, and he was finally out of the picture.

I never thought getting rid of him for good would be so…liberating.

“We’re here!” Mac cheered next to me, and Mr. Rogers looked at us from the front passenger seat.

“What are we doing here?” he asked.

“We’re here to visit some very special creatures,” Slade answered, and we all looked ahead at Duke’s farmhouse stretching ahead of us.

Duke’s sister was at the door waiting for us. She greeted us when we approached and took us to the farm.

“Slade and King tell me you used to have a little furball,” she told Mr. Rogers.

“I did. My Fifi. She’s over the rainbow bridge now with my wife.”

Duke’s sister, Penny, pursed her lips and gave him a gentle smile.

“I’m so sorry.”

Mr. Rogers, in true Mr. Rogers fashion, waved her off as if it wasn’t a loss that still hurt him.

“We thought you might like to help us play with the dogs here at the Sanctuary,” Slade said.

“And maybe if you like someone, you can take them home,” I added.

Mr. Rogers laughed and rocked back.

“I’m too old for a dog,” he said.

“You’re not too old, Mr. Rogers,” Mac told him. “And think how nice it’ll be to have a little cutie-patootie doggie for a friend.”

“No pressure, of course,” Penny said. “How about we visit them first and meet some of our older residents?”

She put her hand around Mr. Rogers’s back, guided him into the dog yard, and we followed behind them.

Mac immediately ran after the puppies, and they reciprocated with lots of tail-wagging, tongue-licking, and little high-pitched barks while Penny introduced some of the older dogs to Mr. Rogers. We watched the old man light up with every new four-legged acquaintance.

“This was a great idea.” I turned to Slade, and he hugged me close to him.

Seeing so much life, laughter, love, and joy around me was intoxicating. It was truly the best medicine.

“Who do we have here?” Mr. Rogers bent to a little guy lying in front of him, his tail going from side to side with lazy nonchalance.

It was a brown Cairn Terrier with black fur all over his face that made it look like he’d put his whole head in the mud.

“Oh, that’s Prince. He’s nine years old, but in true princely fashion, he’s quite the diva,” Penny said.

“Oh really? What does that mean?” Mr. Rogers asked and put his hand out for Prince, who gave it a lick, stared, looked at Penny, and then proceeded to lick more of Mr. Rogers’s hand.

“I think you’ve gotten the royal seal of approval,” I said.

“Looks like it,” Mr. Rogers said, then turned to Penny and asked her more questions about Prince.

“I think it worked. I think he found the one,” I whispered to Slade.

“He’s not the only one.” He smiled and kissed my cheek, hugging me tighter.

“You always know what to say, don’t you?” It wasn’t so much a question. More a fact.

“You, my beautiful man, are like the sun. Everything and everyone gravitates toward you, and once they’re pulled into your orbit, there’s no escape.”

My chest went fuzzy and warm, and my breath hitched for a beat or two.

“I feel like I should be the one telling you these things because it’s you who’s my sun,” I said. “You’re always looking out for everyone. You’re there for everyone. You were there for Mac and me. You were there for Joey and Santiago when they needed you. You’re there for Mr. Rogers even though you barely know him. You’re there for Duke and the sanctuary. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to all of us. The best thing that’s ever happened to me after Mac.”

Slade sighed, and he glanced at the people around us engaged in conversation or playing with puppies before he turned back to me.

“Let’s just agree that we’re each other’s sun.”

“Deal,” I said and closed my eyes, reveling in this feeling.

This feeling I’d never had with anyone but him. This feeling of completeness that was so intoxicating I didn’t ever want to be sober again.

He’d given me so much, yet he’d asked for nothing in return other than my love, and that I was more than willing to give.

I wanted to give him everything. Everything possible and even everything impossible.

Was it crazy to think of white picket fences, happily ever afters, kids running around in the backyard, and barbecues with friends already?

Maybe.

But if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t even be alive, so I’d be damned if I didn’t allow myself the pleasure of dreaming of a future with him by his side.

Something yapped at my feet, and we both looked down and found a medium-sized German Shepherd staring at us with its tongue hanging out of its mouth.

“Oh, hello,” I said. “Who are you?”

“Another person caught in our orbit?” Slade smirked, and I rolled my eyes, but I knew—I knew—as soon as I went down on my knees to introduce myself, I was a goner.

It swiped its tongue across my face and put its paws on my shoulders. It gazed into my eyes, and that was it.

“Shit. I’ve been marked.”

“Yeah, you’re theirs now.”

“You mean his. Look at them balls.”

“That’s what he said,” Slade whispered as he knelt beside me and let the dog sniff his hand.

“I see you’ve met Pixel.” Penny approached with a huge knowing grin.

“Oh, damn it,” I said.

“What?” she asked.

I sighed.

“Even his name fits us,” I said.

“It does?” She raised an eyebrow, glancing from one to the other.

I turned to Slade and checked with my techboy. I didn’t even need to open my mouth or say anything. All I needed to do was pout in defeat, and he nodded in acceptance.

“Yeah, I think he’s one of us now,” I told Penny, and I didn’t miss the squeal behind her as Mac came to meet Pixel.

As with us two, it was love at first sight.

I guessed it ran in the family.

“Now we just need a couple more kiddos, and we’ll be complete,” Slade whispered.

I rolled my eyes with a teasing smirk and huffed.

“I’ll tell you when I’m ovulating.”

“Why wait?” he asked, and even Penny laughed.

God, I hoped Mac hadn’t heard. The last thing I needed right now was for her to obsess about baby siblings.

Although, it was good to know Slade and I were on the same page.

I couldn’t ever imagine being on a different one.

We were made for each other. That much was clear.

And it was becoming clearer with every passing day.

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